Cholera: FG Seeks Emergency Vaccine Supply Amid Outbreak

LAGOS — In response to the ongoing cholera outbreak in Nigeria, the Federal Government has initiated discussions with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) to secure emergency supplies of oral cholera vaccine (OCV). This move comes as Nigeria faces the disease amid a global shortage of the vaccine.

Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), disclosed in Abuja that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, is leading the discussions with GAVI.

This development follows an announcement by the NCDC regarding an increase in the death toll and the spread of cholera across 32 states and 115 local government areas in Nigeria.

Nigeria utilizes three World Health Organization (WHO) pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines: Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus. Two doses of any of these vaccines are required for full protection and are administered only to high-risk groups, such as travelers to areas with active cholera transmission or residents of outbreak zones.

Regarding the request for emergency doses of cholera vaccine, Dr. Idris stated: “GAVI, a global health partnership, plays a pivotal role in improving access to vaccines in low-income countries. Through these negotiations, Nigeria aims to secure an emergency supply of cholera vaccines to curb the outbreak.

“Cholera vaccines are not stocked in our public facilities, though they are available in limited quantities in the private sector. However, vaccines alone are not sufficient; we must also ensure environmental cleanliness and proper hand hygiene.”

The Federal Government’s proactive approach seeks to mitigate the impact of the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations amid the ongoing crisis.